Executive Transactions

Japan Olympic Committee President TSUNEKAZU TAKEDA has been appointed the IOC's new marketing chief. He replaces GERHARD HEIBERG. Takeda, a former Olympian in the sport of equestrianism who is also a member of the 2020 Tokyo Games organizing committee, "will oversee the IOC's multi-million dollar sponsorship programme." He will also "monitor the domestic sponsorship programme of the host cities." Although the IOC does not reveal the financial terms of its deals, the total sponsorship package for the '13-16 period is estimated to generate about $1B, up from $663M a decade ago (REUTERS, 4/1). ... Municipal Olympic Company President MARIA SILVIA BASTOS MARQUES "resigned." Marques, a "highly respected business executive who once ran a major Brazilian steelmaker," will step down next month, just over two years before the Rio Olympics. The Municipal Olympic Company is "charged with spearheading all preparations by the city government ahead of the games" (REUTERS, 4/1).